Capsule with enhanced product delivery system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a capsule ( 1 ) for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply pressurized liquid into the capsule ( 1 ), the capsule ( 1 ) comprising at least one compartment ( 13 ) containing nutritional ingredients ( 14 ) for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule ( 1 ) further comprising a product delivery system ( 15 ) arranged at an outlet face ( 8 ) of the capsule ( 1 ) and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery system ( 15 ) comprising one or several plurality of perforating elements ( 16 ) designed to perforate a membrane ( 17 ) arranged between the compartment ( 13 ) and the outlet face ( 8 ) of the capsule ( 1 ) as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment, wherein the perforating elements ( 16 ) each comprise three blade members ( 21 ) extending from a common axis (A).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a capsule for hygienically preparing anutritional product containing nutritional ingredients by mixing theingredients with a liquid, the capsule being designed for insertion in adevice for supplying liquid to the capsule. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to an improved product delivery system of sucha capsule for enabling an enhanced evacuation and dissolution of thenutritional ingredients with the liquid provided to the capsule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nutritional compositions can be, for instance, infant formulas or alsonutritional liquids for toddlers, invalids, elderly people, personshaving nutritional deficiencies or athletes.

In general, different forms in which nutritional compositions may beprovided exist, each of them having their own advantages.

For instance, although the nutritional composition provided in a powderform a relative high nutritional quality, the preparation thereof may beregarded as inconvenient and time consuming, since water which has beenboiled in advanced and allowed to cool has to be poured into a drinkingvessel containing the powder in order to prepare a liquid nutritionalcomposition such as an infant formula. The same inconvenient preparationprocess exists for nutritional compositions in concentrated liquid form.

A more convenient preparation of a nutritional composition is enabled bycapsule-based preparation devices in which a single-serving of apreferably powdered composition being provided within a cartridge orcapsule is dissolved by means of injection with filtered respectivelysanitized liquid such as water. Thereby, any undesired contaminantsshould be removed from the liquid before the liquid is mixed with theingredients. For this purpose, such a device preferably comprises filtermeans for filtering respectively sanitizing the water.

WO2006/077259 for example discloses a method for preparing a singleserving of a nutritional composition comprising introducing liquid suchas water into a cartridge containing a unit dose of the composition inconcentrated form. Thereby, the water is treated prior to theintroduction into the cartridge in order to remove pathogens from thewater. This treatment may be for instance a pre-heating, a filtering oran irradiation of the water with ultra-violet light.

WO 2008/012314 relates to a device that teaches the principle oftreating water by means of a filter used for the preparation ofnutritional compositions from a capsule inserted in a dispenser.

A capsule with an integrated antimicrobial filter has been described inWO 2009/092629 and No. 09156782.6 filed on 31 Mar. 2009.

WO2009/115475 and PCT/EP2010/056005 propose a capsule containingnutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional product incombination with liquid injected into the capsule by means of a beverageproduction machine, wherein the capsule is equipped with a productdelivery system for ensuring a proper interaction of the supplied liquidand the ingredients contained in the compartment of the capsule and forreducing, preferably avoiding, contact of nutritional liquid with thedevice. Thereby, the product delivery system is designed to open atleast one orifice through the capsule for delivery of the compositionwhen a sufficient pressure of liquid has been reached in thecompartment. For this, a bottom portion of the capsule comprisesX-shaped perforating elements that are strategically placed to perforatea lower membrane normally separating the compartment from the liquidproduct outlet of the capsule.

In the known prior art, the nutritional compositions are generally inpowdered form and contained within a body portion respectively adedicated compartment of a capsule or cartridge.

It has been found however that contrary to ordinary nutritionalcompositions in powdered form that are provided to a dedicatedreceptacle and reconstituted by means of addition of liquid undervigorous shaking or stirring, for which usually a heated liquid is used,the reconstitution of a nutritional composition within a restrictedcompartment of the capsules at ambient or close to ambient temperatureposes a problem in particular with regard to a proper dissolution withinthe capsule upon injection of liquid thereto.

Thereby, it is particularly desired that the powdered compositionprovided within the capsule properly interacts respectively dissolves inthe liquid injected to the capsule. Hence, a full release of thededicated amount of the nutritional composition contained in the capsuleis desired to ensure a complete feed for each capsule, e.g., to theconsumer. No significant amount of nutritional liquid should be left inthe capsule, most preferably, the capsule should be emptied from anyliquid and solids. Accordingly, the amount and the concentration of thenutritional composition to be prepared upon reconstitution of thenutritional composition by means of liquid is the same for each capsuleand is thus reproducible.

Hence, a device is sought-after which enables the proper reconstitutionof a nutritional composition by means of injection of liquid into acapsule holding a predefined amount of nutritional ingredients.

In particular, an enhanced design for a product delivery system of sucha capsule is sought-after which enables the ejection of preferably allremaining nutritional composition from the capsule while at the sametime ensuring a proper dissolution of the ingredients provided withinthe capsule with the provided liquid.

The present invention seeks to address the above-described problems. Theinvention also aims at other objects and particularly the solution ofother problems as will appear in the rest of the present description.

Object and Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a capsule forinsertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply pressurizedliquid into the capsule, the capsule comprising at least one compartmentcontaining nutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritionalcomposition in combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule furthercomprising a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of thecapsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, theproduct delivery system comprising a membrane arranged between thecompartment and the outlet face of the capsule and at least oneperforating element, preferably a plurality of perforating elements,designed to perforate the membrane as a result of the pressure of liquidexerted in the compartment, wherein the perforating element or pluralityof elements comprise(s) three blade members extending from a commonaxis.

The capsule preferably comprises an inlet face, designed for beingpierced by an injection means of the beverage production machine to beused in conjunction with the capsule in order to supply liquid to thecapsule. Thereby, the inlet face is preferably arranged at a face of thecapsule opposite to the outlet face thereof.

When liquid is injected into the inlet face and thus, into thecompartment containing nutritional ingredients, the liquid is made tointeract with the ingredients provided in the compartment to form anutritional composition. Thereby, the pressure within the compartmentcontinuously rises such that the membrane arranged between theingredients compartment and the outlet face of the capsule is urgedagainst the provided perforating elements of the product delivery systemof the capsule. This leads to a perforation of the membrane after acertain pressure threshold has been exceeded within the ingredientscompartment of the capsule. The nutritional composition is then able toexit the compartment via the perforations created within the membraneand flow towards the outlet face of the capsule at which at least oneoutlet opening is provided from which the resulting nutritionalcomposition can then be drained into a provided receiving vessel.

The invention thus provides a capsule that enables the properreconstitution of a nutritional composition by means of injection ofliquid into the compartment of the capsule holding a predefined amountof nutritional ingredients.

The capsule according to the invention preferably includes nutritionalingredients such as for example infant formula, suitable for interactingwith liquid provided to the capsule in order to produce a cold or hotnutritional composition. Thereby, the nutritional ingredients arepreferably in the form of a liquid concentrate, a paste, a gel orpowder.

Due to the perforating elements comprising three blade members extendingfrom a common axis, a very accurate and smooth breaking of the membraneis enabled. This is to be understood as providing a breaking of themembrane solely at specific portions of the membrane that are perforatedby the perforating elements. Hence, the membrane is prevented from beingbroken arbitrarily at undesired regions such as for example at a regionof the membrane located between two neighbouring perforating elements.Hence, the membrane is also prevented from being broken againstperforating elements insufficiently or partially that could result in asudden pressure drop within the capsule before an effective dissolutionof the ingredients could take place.

This is in particular important for an improved dissolution of thenutritional composition from the capsule since a breaking of themembrane at other portions or insufficiently than the specific portionsbroken by the perforating elements may lead to an undesired flow ratevalue (too high or too low) of the nutritional composition from theingredients compartment towards the outlet face of the capsule whichwould in turn negatively affect the dissolution of the ingredientswithin the provided liquid. In particular, if the open section of themembrane is too large, the liquid does not fully circulate inside thecompartment. If the open section is too small, the pressure increasesand negatively affects the power of the water jet.

At the same time, the three blade members of the respective perforatingelement enable a predefined deflection of the membrane during breakingthereof such that a predefined opening is created within the membranehaving a cross-sectional area large enough to enable a desired effectivedraining of the nutritional composition from the ingredients compartmentto an outlet face and thus to the outlet opening of the capsule.

Hence, the product delivery system according to the invention enables aproper draining of all remaining nutritional composition from theingredients compartment towards the outlet face of the capsule, while atthe same time breaking of the membrane at undesired regions thereof iseffectively prevented and thus, a proper dissolution of the ingredientswith the provided liquid is ensured.

It is to be understood that the term “breaking” of the membranecomprises any of tearing, piercing, pinching, rupturing and/orperforating the membrane due to a penetration by means of theperforating elements which leads to the above desired effect that themembrane is solely opened at desired regions being penetrated by theperforating elements.

The term “dissolution” encompasses dissolving, dispersion, or any otherinteraction of the provided nutritional ingredients resulting in aliquid composition. Thereby, the dissolution of the ingredientspreferably takes place at ambient or warm temperature which is to beunderstood as being a temperature between 19 and 40° C. It is to beunderstood however that the dissolution may as well take place at highertemperatures.

The membrane arranged between the ingredients compartment and the outletface of the capsule is preferably a thin liquid-tight and perforablemembrane made of aluminium and/or a polymer. The membrane is preferablysealed to a bottom edge of a cup-shaped body portion of the capsule. Ina preferred embodiment, the membrane is made of aluminium having athickness between 15 and 50 microns, more preferably between 25 and 35microns. The membrane thickness is chosen according to the sharpness ofthe perforating elements and the relative distance between theperforating elements and the membrane. Accordingly, the liquid injectedinto the capsule is enabled to fully circulate within the ingredientscompartment without breaking the membrane. Hence, effecting dispersingof the ingredients provided within the ingredients compartment isenabled before breaking of the membrane.

Thereby, the larger the thickness of the membrane is, the larger is thepressure necessary to open the membrane by means of the perforatingelements. Accordingly, the opening of the membrane by means of theperforating elements may be delayed with a membrane of relative greaterthickness, which in turn leads to more water being circulated within theingredients compartment of the capsule and to disperse powder inside thecompartment at the time of the opening of the membrane by means of theperforating elements which leads to a sudden pressure drop within thecompartment. With the sudden pressure drop, the gas regains its initialvolume and shakes the powder-liquid mixture thereby enabling properdispersion inside the capsule and avoiding formation of lumps.

In a preferred embodiment, the blade members of the perforating elementsextend from their common axis to equal extent. Thereby, a “Y”-shapedarrangement of the perforating element—when seen from a top view—ispreferably formed by the blade members that extend from the common axis.

The common axis from which the blade members of the perforating elementsextend is preferably arranged essentially perpendicular to the membrane.

Accordingly, a very accurate opening is created in the membrane whenbeing perforated by the blade members of the respective perforatingelements. In particular, a more accurate breaking of the membrane at theedges of the perforating elements is obtained.

The blade members of the perforating elements are preferably arranged atequal angular distance to each other. Thereby, since the blade membersextend from a common axis perpendicular to the membrane, liquid flowpassages of equal cross-sectional area for the nutritional compositionflowing from the ingredients compartment to the outlet face of thecapsule are provided between the respective adjacent blade members ofthe perforating elements. Accordingly, a more constant flow rate andshearing of the nutritional composition through the perforated membraneis obtained. The shearing and flow between the respective adjacent blademembers of the perforating elements act as a static mixer to betterdisperse and dissolve the ingredients in liquid.

In a preferred embodiment, the product delivery system comprises aplurality of perforating elements being arranged around a central axisof the ingredients compartment. Preferably, the product delivery systemof the capsule comprises at least three, more preferably at least fourperforating elements. Thereby, the angular distance at which therespective perforating elements are arranged around the rotational axisof the delivery system is preferably equal for all of the perforatingelements.

Accordingly, at each of the respective perforating elements anessentially equal flow rate of the nutritional composition from theingredients compartment to the outlet face of the capsule is obtainedregardless of the number of openings. The number of openings can varyfrom one to the highest number of perforating elements (e.g., 4 or 5).The “Y” shape of the perforating elements is advantageous in that itprovides a large enough flow area when the membrane is cut. The openingbecomes comprised between 1 and 10 mm in length, preferably 3 and 8 mm,and it remains distanced from the base of the shape (depth) by adistance comprised between 1 and 5 mm, preferably 2 and 3 mm (since themembrane is prevented from collapsing). The optimum depth was found tobe different per capsule depending on the volume of the compartment ofthe capsule. Moreover, it is ensured that all remaining ingredients areeffectively drained from the ingredients compartment towards the outletface of the capsule.

In a preferred embodiment, the perforating elements are arranged atequal distance to the membrane separating the ingredients compartmentand the outlet face of the capsule. Thereby, the perforating elementsare preferably arranged at a distance “d” to the membrane that isbetween 0 and 1.0, preferably between 0 and 0.5 mm. The distance mayvary dependent on the size of the capsule and in particular the size ofthe capsule ingredients compartment.

Thereby, the distance “d” may be controlled for example by the size ofthe perforating elements that protrude from a bottom portion of theproduct delivery system of the capsule. Alternatively, the bottomportion of the ingredients compartment to which the membrane separatingthe ingredient compartment and the outlet face is preferably attachedrespectively sealed may be arranged at a predefined height with respectto the perforating elements.

It is to be understood that due to a larger distance between theperforating elements and the membrane, a higher pressure is necessary todeflect the membrane towards the perforating elements and thus, to brakethe membrane. Such a higher pressure may be particularly necessary toassist in the dissolution for certain powdered ingredients that are moredifficult to dissolve. Therefore, the distance between the perforatingelements can be varied depending on the weight of ingredient containedin the capsule and/or the type of the ingredients. For instance, for alarger weight and/or ingredients having a lower ability to dissolve inthe injected liquid, this distance is increased to ensure a higherpressure in the ingredient compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the perforating elements isessentially constant. This means that the outer edges of the perforatingelements are preferably not tapered. However, the outer edges of theperforating elements may as well be slightly chamfered.

An upper cutting edge of the perforating elements defined by the blademembers is preferably arranged in parallel to the lower membrane of thecapsule. Accordingly, perforation of the membrane is prevented fromoccurring too soon which would otherwise result in a sudden pressuredrop within the capsule before effective dissolution of the ingredientswithin the liquid provided to the ingredients compartment is obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, the product delivery system further comprisesessentially barrier elements protruding from a bottom portion of theproduct delivery system and provided across the flow path between theperforating elements and the outlet face of the capsule. The barrierelements serve to create a meandering or tortuous flow path of theliquid between the membrane and the outlet face to smoothen the flow.The barrier elements extend transversally to the virtual line joiningthe perforating elements to the outlet face. They can be arch-shaped orbe rectilinear or take a wavy shape.

Thereby, the distance between the barrier elements and the membrane ispreferably greater than between the perforating elements and themembrane. In particular, the distance between the respective barrierelements and the membrane is preferably between 0.3 and 1.0 mm, morepreferably between 0.35 and 0.75 mm. Accordingly, it is ensured that themembrane is solely opened by means of the provided perforating elements.

The barrier elements may support the membrane from a too largedeflection due to the pressure rise within the capsule before opening ofthe membrane is obtained by means of the perforating elements. Thereby,the barrier elements are preferably free of sharp edges in particular attheir endings directed towards the membrane.

As the barrier elements can be arch-shaped and set radially offsetrelative to the perforating elements, a defined circulation of theliquid respectively a predefined liquid flow pattern around the barrierelements is obtained within the product delivery system. In particular,a labyrinth path of the liquid is provided by the product deliverysystem for the liquid flowing from the openings created within themembrane by means of the perforating elements towards an outlet that ispreferably arranged at a centre portion of the outlet face of thecapsule. Thereby, liquid that is entering the space between the membraneand an outlet face of the capsule at which the outlet is provided has tomeander around the arch-shaped barrier structure provided by therespective barrier elements.

Accordingly, the liquid entering the space between the membrane and theoutlet face is slowed down before exiting the capsule via the outlet andthus, dissolution of the ingredients within the liquid is furtherimproved.

The outlet of the product delivery system is preferably provided in acentre portion of the outlet face of the capsule. Thereby, a singleoutlet or a plurality of outlet apertures may be provided in the outletface. Thereby, the shape and/or the dimensions of the outlet ispreferably chosen such that a sufficient flow rate of the liquid flowingfrom the membrane towards the outlet of the capsule is obtained.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a capsule forinsertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply liquid intothe capsule, the capsule comprising at least one compartment containingnutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional compositionin combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule further comprisinga product delivery system arranged at an outlet face of the capsule anddesigned for delivery of the nutritional composition, the productdelivery system comprising a plurality of non-rotation symmetric outletopenings.

The feature of this second aspect of the invention may be usedalternatively or additionally to the features of the first aspect of theinvention, explained before the preceding paragraph.

The product delivery system may here be a perforable membrane. Theperforable membrane or wall may perforate by effect of the insidepressure (as aforementioned) or by applying an internal or externalmechanical constraint. The membrane or wall may for instance be abreakable by means of pre-weakened lines or partially cut lines. Theproduct delivery system may also be a pre-opened filtering wallseparating the compartment from the outlet face such as a filter paper,a woven or non woven material and combinations thereof. The filteringwall may be associated with supporting elements at the outlet face.

Preferably, the openings are arranged around a common central axis whichis preferably coincident with the central axis of the compartment. Thisaxis may form a symmetry axis of the compartment of the capsule, whichis symmetric in rotation.

Thereby, the term “non-rotation symmetric” opening refers to an outletopening of the product delivery system that, when seen in top view, isnot rotation symmetric about an axis provided in the centre of theoutlet opening, the axis being arranged perpendicular to a bottom of theproduct delivery system in which the outlet opening is formed.

It is to be noted that the symmetry axis of the compartment maycorrespond to the symmetry axis of the capsule and/or the productdelivery system.

By means of the non-rotation symmetric outlet opening formed in theoutlet face of the capsule, dissolution of the ingredients in an areaupstream of the liquid outlet is enhanced. Accordingly, a capsule withan enhanced product delivery system is provided which enables animproved dissolution of the nutritional ingredients.

Moreover, the formation of swirls or vortices within the liquid flowingthrough the outlet openings is reduced and thus, the formation ofbubbles and foam is effectively minimized. Thereby, it has to beunderstood that the provision of bubbles or a foam layer is not desiredfor a nutritional composition, as in particular in the field of infantformula, bubbles present in the nutritional composition may lead toundesired gas ingestion of the infant.

In a preferred embodiment, the width of the outlet openings is narrowedtowards the rotational axis of the compartment. Thereby, the outletopenings preferably comprise an essentially petal-shaped form when seenin top view. A petal-shaped form means an asymmetrical form openingcomprising a large side and an opposite tapered side; with the largerside forming preferably but not necessarily a convex edge (it may alsobe concave or rectilinear line thereby forming a somewhat triangularform) and the opposite side preferably, but not necessarily, ending byan apex (or a smaller transversal concave or rectilinear edge therebyforming an opening of trapezoidal form). It has been found that thisform particularly smoothens the flow and reduces the formation ofbubbles within the nutritional composition to be drained from the outletopenings. Moreover, a constant flow rate large enough for providing aneffective ejection of the reconstituted nutritional composition from thecapsule is provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the outlet openings are preferably separatedfrom each other by a barrier member that extends from a central bottomportion of the product delivery system. Thereby, the barrier memberpreferably comprises a plurality of wall portions extending from acommon axis arranged essentially perpendicular to the outlet face of thecapsule.

Accordingly, liquid entering the area between the membrane and theoutlet face of the capsule is directed to a specific outlet opening ofthe outlet face. Hence, a predefined liquid flow pattern is provided andcontrolled within the product delivery system.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a beverageproduction system comprising a capsule according to the invention and abeverage production machine designed for accommodating the capsule in adedicated brewing chamber, the beverage production machine furthercomprising a pump for supplying liquid to the capsule, a control unitfor controlling at least the pump of the device, opening means which aredesigned to interact with an inlet face of the capsule, wherein theopening means are arranged to supply a liquid received from the pump tothe inside of the capsule.

A beverage production machine suitable for being used in conjunctionwith the capsule according to the invention is described inInternational Patent Application PCT/EP2010/056002 which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Accordingly, a system for preparing a nutritional composition isprovided that enables a convenient and proper reconstitution of thecomposition by means of injection of pressurized liquid into the capsuleholding a predefined amount of nutritional ingredients. Thereby, thevolume, flow rate and temperature of the liquid fed in the capsule arecontrolled by the control unit of the beverage production machine.

The liquid injected into the capsule may be heated at warm temperatureor non-heated liquid at ambient temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention willbecome apparent for the skilled person when reading the followingdetailed description of embodiments of the present invention, when takenin conjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a perspective top and bottom view of the capsuleaccording to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 relates to a sectional side view of the capsule according toFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of theproduct delivery system of the capsule according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the product delivery system of the capsuleaccording to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional side view of the product delivery system of thecapsule according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 a shows an enlarger top view of the bottom portion of the productdelivery system according to another preferred embodiment which haspetal-shaped outlet openings.

FIG. 7 b shows a top view of the embodiment of the product deliverysystem according to FIG. 7 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The general aspect of the capsule 1 of the invention is illustrated inconjunction with FIGS. 1 to 3 given as a preferred example only. Thecapsule 1 generally comprises a body 2 for receiving nutritionalingredients 14, an inlet face 4 and an outlet face 8 arranged at aposition essentially opposite to the inlet face 4 of the capsule 1.

The inlet face is preferably formed by a liquid impermeable top membraneor foil 4 which is sealed onto a flange like rim 5 of the body 2,thereby closing off a cup 3 formed in the body 2 of the capsule 1.

The top membrane 4 may be solely liquid impervious or, most preferably,liquid and gas impervious. The top membrane 4 is preferably made of apuncturable material such as plastic and/or aluminium. In particular,the membrane can be a monolayer membrane such as aluminium or amultilayer membrane comprising gas barrier such as for examplePlastic/EVOH/Plastic, or Plastic/aluminium and metalized Plastic.“Plastic” may be one or more layers of PP, PET, PE and combinationsthereof. It is therefore possible to enable a liquid to be supplied tothe body 2 of the capsule by means of a liquid injector 6. Optionally, agas may be supplied to the capsule by means of a gas injector 7. Theliquid injector 6 and optional gas injector 7 are provided at a beverageproduction machine to be used in conjunction with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outlet face respectively the bottom 8 of the cup3 comprises a product outlet 9 intended for the release of the liquidnutritional composition from the capsule 1.

The product outlet 9 may comprise one or several openings for streamingof the liquid composition towards a receptacle such as a baby bottle,glass or cup. The product outlet 9 may extend from the cup bottom by ashort duct 10 for directing the flow of liquid and reducing sideprojections of liquid that could contaminate the surroundings of thereceptacle.

The product outlet 9 preferably comprise an X-shaped directing member 12integrally formed with the outlet 9 and which is preferably arrangedbetween adjacent outlet openings 11. Accordingly, the flow of liquidfrom the respective openings 11 may be accurately directed towards aprovided receiving vessel arranged below the product outlet 9.

The body 2 of the capsule may extend on the upper side by an extensionportion 18 in which a filter F for filtering liquid supplied to thecapsule may be arranged. A detailed description of a capsule comprisinga suitable filter F is provided in International Patent ApplicationPCT/EP2010/056005.

As shown in FIG. 3, the capsule 1 comprises, in the cup 3, a compartment13 containing nutritional ingredients 14 formed by the bottom andsidewall of the cup 3. The volume of the compartment may vary dependingon the volume of liquid to be injected into the capsule 1. In general, alarge volume is preferred for large volume of liquid so that thecompartment serves as a mixing bowl for the ingredients 14 and theprovided liquid to form the nutritional composition. The volume of theingredients compartment 13 preferably lies between 25 and 250 ml. Forinfant formula, the ingredient volume increases with the age of theinfant and consequently so do the volume of the compartment necessaryfor storing such ingredient volume.

The capsule 1 comprises a product delivery system 15 for ensuring aproper interaction of the supplied liquid and the ingredients 14contained in the compartment 13 of the capsule 1 and for reducing,preferably avoiding, contact of nutritional liquid with the device. In aparticular mode, the product delivery system 15 is designed to open atleast one orifice through the capsule 1 for delivery of the compositionwhen a sufficient pressure of liquid has been reached in thecompartment. For this, the product delivery system 15 comprisesperforating elements 16 protruding from a bottom portion 20 of theproduct delivery system 15 towards the body 2 of the capsule. Theperforating elements 16 are directed towards a lower membrane 17arranged to separate the compartment 13 from the outlet face 8 and thusfrom the product outlet 9 of the capsule 1. Thereby, the perforatingelements 16 are strategically situated to perforate the lower membrane17 when a predefined pressure is reached within the compartment 13 uponliquid injection into the capsule 1.

The lower membrane 17 is preferably a piercable membrane made fromplastic and/or aluminium and is preferably sealed to a stepped portion17 a formed within the body 2 of the capsule 1.

FIG. 4 relates to a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment ofthe product delivery system 15 of the capsule 1 according to theinvention. The product delivery system 15 is preferably made of anintegral plastic part that may be manufactured by injection molding forexample. The product delivery system is also preferably molded in oneintegral part with the cup 3, extension portion 18 and rim 5 to form abody. The material for this body is preferably made of plastic such asPP.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the product delivery system 15 preferablycomprises four perforation elements 16 which are arranged at equalangular distance with respect to a rotational axis Y of the productdelivery system 15. Preferably said rotational axis Y corresponds to therotational axis Z of the compartment 13 of the capsule 1. Accordingly,the perforation elements 16 are preferably equally distributed about therotational axis Y. It is to be understood that the number of perforationelements 16 may vary preferably between three and six perforationelements 16.

Each perforation element 16 comprises three blade members extending froma common axis A arranged essentially perpendicular to a bottom portion20 of the product delivery system 15 and also perpendicular to plane inwhich an outer circumferential rim portion 17 a of the product deliverysystem 15 is arranged, to which the membrane 17 separating the outletface 8 and the compartment 13 of the capsule 1 is preferably sealed.

The blade members 21 preferably extend from the respective common axis Ato preferably equal extent. Thereby, the length of the blade members bywhich they extend from the common axis A preferably lies between 0.1 and2 mm, more preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. Accordingly, a Y-shapedarrangement of the blade members 21 is provided. Thereby, the thicknessof the blade members preferably lies between 0.1 and 1 mm, morepreferably between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.

The blade members 21 are preferably arranged at equal angular distanceto each other. Hence, between the blade members 21 flow passages 30 a(see FIG. 5) of equal cross-section are preferably provided.

In the central portion of the product delivery system 15, outletopenings 11 are arranged which enable an ejection of the liquid from theoutlet face 8 of the capsule 1. Preferably, four outlet openings 11 areprovided within the bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15.

The outlet openings 11 are preferably separated from each other by abarrier member 24 that is preferably protruding from the centre of thebottom portion 20 in x-shaped form.

Between the outlet openings 11 and the perforating elements 16arch-shaped barrier elements 22 are preferably arranged that protrudefrom the bottom portion 20 of the product delivery system 15. Thereby,the arch-shaped barrier elements 22 are preferably arranged about therotational axis Y of the product delivery system 15, wherein a passage26 is provided between the arch-shaped barrier elements 22.

As indicated in FIG. 5 which relates to a top view of the productdelivery system 15, the protruding perforating elements 16 provide abreaking 30 of the membrane 17 upon pressure rise within the compartment13, which urges the membrane 17 against the perforating elements 16,when liquid is injected into the capsule by means of the liquidinjection means 6 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, an arbitrary opening of themembrane 17 at undesired portions thereof is prevented due to thespecific shape of the perforating elements 16. In particular, themembrane 17 is only opened at the indicated regions 30 of the membrane17 which are directly penetrated by the provided perforating elements16.

After the opening of the membrane 17, the nutritional composition isenabled to flow from the compartment 13 through the provided flowpassages 30 a between the blade members 21 of the perforating elements16 towards the space between the membrane 17 and the outlet face 8. Theliquid is then forced to meander within the product delivery system 15.Accordingly, the dissolution of the ingredients within the providedliquid is significantly enhanced.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the liquid is deflected by thebarrier elements 22 to the spaces 26 provided between barrier elements22 and is then guided towards the outlet openings 11 by means of thecentral barrier element 24 as indicated by arrows L in FIG. 5.Accordingly, a desired liquid flow pattern is provided within theproduct delivery system 15 for enhancing the dissolution of theingredients 14 within the delivery system 15.

At the circumference of the product delivery system 15, protrudingridges 23 a extend radially inwards from a circumferentially arrangedouter ridge 23 towards the centre portion of the product delivery system15. The ridges 23,23 a are protruding from the bottom portion 20 of theproduct delivery system 15 and serve the purpose of rigidifying thestructure of the product delivery system 15. In addition, these ridgesmay serve the purpose of providing additional deflection means for theliquid flowing from the created respective opening 30 within themembrane 17 towards the outlet openings 11, thereby enhancing thedissolution of the ingredients within the injected liquid.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional side view of the product delivery system 15 ofthe capsule 1 according to FIGS. 4 and 5. As can be seen in the figure,the membrane 17 is preferably arranged at a distance d with respect tothe perforating elements 16. Thereby, the distance d preferably lieswithin a range of 0 and 0.5, preferably between 0 and 0.25 mm. It is tobe understood that the distance may vary dependent on the size of thecapsule and in particular the size of the capsule ingredientscompartment.

In case a relatively greater distance d is chosen for the particularcapsule, a higher pressure is needed to open the membrane 17 by means ofthe perforating elements 16 and thus, the opening of the membrane 17 isdelayed compared to an arrangement in which the distance d between theperforating elements 16 and the membrane 17 is chosen to be relativelysmaller. This leads to more liquid being able to circulate within thecompartment 13 before opening of the membrane 17 and thus, leads to animprovement for certain ingredients 14 provided within the compartment13. Moreover, due to the higher pressure built up within the compartment13, a shock effect is provided as the pressure rapidly drops when themembrane 17 is opened, which also leads to an enhanced dispersion of thenutritional ingredients inside of the compartment 13.

The barrier elements 22 are arranged at a distance d2 to the membrane17. The distance d2 between the respective barrier elements 22 and themembrane is preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 mm, more preferably between0.35 and 0.55 mm. Accordingly, it is ensured that the membrane 17 issolely opened by means of the provided perforating elements 16, as themembrane 17 first contacts the perforating elements 16 when beingdeflected towards the outlet face 8 of the capsule 1.

The edge portions 22 a of the barrier elements 22 are preferablychamfered or rounded such that no sharp edge is protruding from thebarrier elements 22 towards the membrane 17. Accordingly, even in casethe membrane 17 contacts the barrier elements 22, breaking of themembrane 17 by means of the barrier elements 22 is prevented.

The central barrier element 24 is arranged at a distance d3 to themembrane 17. Said distance d3 preferably lies within a range of 0.3 and0.9 mm, more preferably between 0.45 and 0.65 mm. Hence, the distance d3is preferably equal to or smaller than the distance d2 between thebarrier element 22 and the membrane 17.

The ridges 23, 23 a are arranged at a distance d4 with respect to themembrane 17 which preferably lies between 0.7 and 1.3 mm, morepreferably between 0.8 and 1.1 mm.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the perforating elements 16, the barrierelements 22, 24 and the ridges 23,23 a are protruding from a bottomportion 20 of the product delivery system 15. Thereby, the perforatingelements 16, the barrier elements 22, 24 and the ridges 23,23 a arepreferably integrally formed with the product delivery system 15.

The upper cutting edge 25 a of the perforating elements 16 defined bythe blade members 21 is preferably arranged parallel to the membrane 17of the capsule 1. Hence, the edges 25 b of the blade members 21 arrangedessentially perpendicular to the membrane 17 are preferably notchamfered respectively tapered. Hence, the width (w) of the perforatingelements is preferably essentially constant. Thereby, the width wpreferably lies within the range from 1 to 5 mm, more preferably between1.5 and 3.5 mm.

In another preferred embodiment, the edges 25 b of the blade members 21may as well be slightly chamfered at an angle of about 1 to 8°. Thereby,however, the upper cutting edge 25 a of the perforating elements 16 ispreferably also arranged parallel to the membrane 17.

The outlet openings 11 may be circular holes comprising a diameter cthat preferably lies between 1.2 and 2.2 mm. Preferably, four outletopenings 11 are provided in the bottom portion 20 of the productdelivery system 15. However, the number of outlet openings maypreferably vary between three and six openings.

In another particular preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7b, the outlet openings 11 comprise a non-rotation symmetric shape. Thisis to be understood, as when seen in top view, the respective outletopening 11 is not rotation symmetric about a centre axis provided in thecentre of the outlet opening 11, which is arranged perpendicular to thebottom 20 of the product delivery system 15 in which the outlet opening11 is formed.

In a preferred embodiment as indicated in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, the outletopenings 11 formed in the bottom 20 of the product delivery system arepetal-shaped. Thereby, the width b of the respective outlet openings 11as indicated in FIG. 7 a is narrowed towards the rotational axis Y ofthe product delivery system 15. The width b preferably lies within arange of 0.5 to 3 mm, more preferably between 0.7 and 2.5 mm.

The radially outer portions 20 a of the openings 11 are preferablyrounded and have a radius which lies between 1.0 and 2.5 mm. The sideportions 20 b extending radially inwardly from the outer portion 20 aare preferably straight. The intersection 20 c of the side portions 20 bis preferably also rounded, thereby preferably having a radius between0.05 and 0.5 mm.

It has been shown that such a design improves the stability of theliquid flow from the product delivery system 15 towards a providedreceiving vessel placed under the capsule outlet openings 11.Accordingly, a more constant flow rate is provided within the productdelivery system 15.

Moreover, the formation of bubbles within the nutritional composition iseffectively prevented, since in particular for infant formula thepresence of bubbles is undesired as gas ingestion is to be avoided byinfants.

1. A capsule for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted tosupply pressurized liquid into the capsule, the capsule comprising: atleast one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for thepreparation of a nutritional composition in combination with thesupplied liquid; a product delivery system arranged at an outlet face ofthe capsule and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition;the product delivery system comprising a membrane arranged between thecompartment and the outlet face of the capsule and at least oneperforating element designed to perforate the membrane as a result ofthe pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment; and the perforatingelement comprises three blade members extending from a common axis.
 2. Acapsule according to claim 1, wherein the product delivery systemcomprises a plurality of perforating elements.
 3. A capsule according toclaim 2, wherein the blade members of the perforating elements extendfrom their common axis to an equal extent.
 4. A capsule according toclaim 2, wherein the blade members of the perforating elements arearranged at an equal angular distance to each other.
 5. A capsuleaccording to claim 2, wherein the perforating elements are arrangedaround a rotational axis of the product delivery system.
 6. A capsuleaccording to claim 2, wherein the perforating elements are arranged atan equal angular distance with respect to a rotational axis of theproduct delivery system.
 7. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein theperforating elements are arranged at an equal distance to the membrane.8. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the perforating elements arearranged at a distance to the membrane which is between 0 and 0.5 mm. 9.A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the width of the perforatingelements is essentially constant.
 10. A capsule according to claim 1,wherein an upper cutting edge of the perforating elements defined by theblade members is arranged parallel to the membrane of the capsule.
 11. Acapsule according to claim 1, wherein the product delivery systemcomprises essentially arch-shaped barrier elements protruding from abottom portion of the product delivery system and provided radiallyoffset relative to the perforating elements, the distance between thebarrier elements and the membrane being greater than a distance betweenthe perforating elements and the membrane.
 12. A capsule for insertionin a beverage production machine adapted to supply liquid into thecapsule, the capsule comprising: at least one compartment containingnutritional ingredients for the preparation of a nutritional compositionin combination with the supplied liquid; a product delivery systemarranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed for delivery ofthe nutritional composition; and the product delivery system comprisinga plurality of non-rotation symmetric outlet openings formed in theoutlet face of the capsule.
 13. Capsule according to claim 12, whereinthe openings are arranged around a common center axis coincident withthe central axis of the compartment.
 14. A capsule according to claim13, wherein a width of the outlet openings is narrowed towards therotational axis of the product delivery system.
 15. A capsule accordingto claim 12, wherein the outlet openings comprise an essentiallypetal-shaped form in top view.
 16. A capsule according to claim 12,wherein the outlet openings are separated from each other by a barriermember extending from a central bottom portion of the product deliverysystem.
 17. A beverage production system comprising: a capsulecomprising at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredientsfor the preparation of a nutritional composition, a product deliverysystem arranged at an outlet face of the capsule and designed fordelivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery systemcomprising a membrane arranged between the compartment and the outletface of the capsule and at least one perforating element designed toperforate the membrane as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted inthe compartment; and the perforating element comprises three blademembers extending from a common axis; and a beverage production machinedesigned for accommodating the capsule in a dedicated brewing chamber,the beverage production machine further comprising: a pump for supplyingliquid to the capsule, a control unit for controlling at least the pumpof the device, an opening member which is designed to interact with aninlet face of the capsule; and the opening member is arranged to supplya liquid received from the pump to the inside of the capsule.